The Latest Sign That Lawmakers From Across The US Are Eager To Legalize Sports Betting

[toc]Sports betting will be the focus of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States when the group gathers in Miami this January.

NCLGS and sports betting

The NCLGS is a group of lawmakers from across the country that meet regularly to talk about gambling issues. That sports betting is the focus of its next gathering indicates the high level of interest in a large of number of states.

The event — which includes a “series of debates on the future of legal sports betting in the United States” — will take place Jan. 5-7.

“The future of sports betting is the dominant issue in gaming across the nation, and is arguably the most important gaming issue that lawmakers and industry officials must confront in 2018,” said Ohio Sen. Bill Coley, an officer with NLCGS, in a press release about the event. “NCLGS is rising to the occasion by making sure our members fully grasp all its ramifications.”

NCLGS “does not promote or oppose gaming” but comes at it from states attempting to properly regulate it when the issue comes up.

Meeting comes at a key time for US sports betting

Next week, the US Supreme Court will consider the New Jersey sports betting case. In that case, NJ is trying to legalize sports wagering. If SCOTUS decides to strike down the federal law that bans single-game sports betting outside of Nevada, it leaves an opportunity for other states to follow suit.

“Congress and the US Supreme Court are discussing this issue and will be making important decisions, but ultimately the most important decisions will be made in statehouses across the United States,” said Rep. Helene Keeley of Delaware, a recent past president of NCLGS.

Keeley chairs the NCLGS Committee on Casinos, which will examine the possible implications of the NJ sports betting case, Christie vs. NCAA, during the meeting.

Also at the meeting, the Committee on State-Federal Relations — Coley chairs that — will discuss the potential of sports gambling via the internet and mobile devices. The NLCGS indicated that the topic would also come up at sessions throughout the event.

States have already acted on sports wagering

State legislatures generally start ramping up for the year in the late winter and early spring months. That means the lessons from this conference could aid potential legislative efforts.